New Planning Director Owen Dennison broached the topic of recreational marijuana in the Town of Coupeville during a council meeting last week and got a clear answer from elected officials.

The resounding response from the council members was that they didn’t want to see any pot stores or grow operations in their town.

Dennison said the town’s codes are fairly vague when it comes to marijuana policies. Voters approved Initiative 502 legalizing recreational pot in 2012

State policies dictate a 1,000-foot buffer zone around sensitive areas such as schools, churches and childcare facilities.

Because of the town’s size, there’s only one place in town limits that would work for a pot operation. That location is toward the end of Parker Road.

Dennison said the council could look at creating language to increase or decrease the town’s 1,000-foot buffer zone or, if it’s not something the council wants, look at prohibiting the industry entirely.

“I wouldn’t want to see us decrease the buffer,” said Councilwoman Diane Binder. “But can we increase the buffer?”

Councilwoman Pat Powell said she’s in favor of prohibition.

“I don’t feel it’s an appropriate thing for our town,” she said.

The rest of the council agreed.

Dennison was directed to look into revisions of the town code to address council wishes. The process will require going through the Planning Commission and bringing it before a public hearing.